CO approves pursuing campaign limits, personnel system overhaul

DENVER (AP) — Colorado voters have backed a ballot initiative aimed at limiting campaign contributions and spending across the country.

Amendment 65 won overwhelming support in Tuesday's election.

The measure is largely symbolic. It instructs Colorado's congressional delegation to propose a U.S. constitutional amendment allowing Congress and states to limit campaign contributions and spending. Passing an amendment requires a two-thirds vote in both houses of Congress and the approval of at least 38 states.

The measure was proposed in response to a 2010 U.S. Supreme Court ruling allowing corporations and unions to spend unlimited money in campaigns. Voters in Montana considered a similar proposal.

Lawmakers aren't bound by the vote.

Colorado Common Cause executive director Elena Nunez said voters in the swing state were fed up with the endless stream of campaign ads this year.

AMENDMENT S

DENVER (AP) — Colorado voters have approved an overhaul of how the state hires and fires employees.

Amendment S increases the number and type of employees who are exempt from the state personnel system.

It gives the state more flexibility in deciding who to hire, rather than simply relying on test results. It also phases out a little-used rule that protects senior employees from layoffs, and it creates a new merit pay system.

Existing rules were adopted in 1918 during the Progressive Era. They were last updated in 1970.

The changes were approved by state lawmakers with bipartisan support, but voters had the final say on Tuesday because the personnel rules are part of the state constitution.

The state's largest public employees union, Colorado WINS, was neutral on the proposal.

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